The independent home for discussions on the English Chess scene.
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Looking around, not obviously.Matt Bridgeman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 4:50 pmAre there late middle age Grandmasters out there taking the Tom Cruise (age: 59!) route, supplementing anti-ageing drugs such as testosterone, steroids and growth hormones?
I know what you’re saying, but for middle age men it can often be about maintenance of what they had when they were in their late 30’s say, rather than allowing a natural diminishing of the body’s natural testosterone levels and skeletal muscle, etc. It might not be particularly obvious that they have gone down this route to some extent.NickFaulks wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 4:56 pmLooking around, not obviously.Matt Bridgeman wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 4:50 pmAre there late middle age Grandmasters out there taking the Tom Cruise (age: 59!) route, supplementing anti-ageing drugs such as testosterone, steroids and growth hormones?
This appears to be a private group. Perhaps a synopsis of his case could be added for non members.JustinHorton wrote: ↑Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:57 amhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1415533 ... 978014744/
Hello everyone, my name is Nitzan Steinberg, I am a GM from Israel (Elo 2537). Last Saturday 17.7.21, I played an online tournament on Lichess named "2nd Late M D Bhagwat Memorial". There were 9 rounds with a time control of 5+2. I took the 5th place and already started playing another tournament, when suddenly my account was kicked out from Lichess and blocked.
I tried to contact Lichess in any possible way (email, twitter, facebook, lichess, discord) until they replied that my account is blocked for cheating, which came as a total shock to me. I made it clear that I didn't use any computer assistance (ever in my life) and asked them to explain the reasons for this act and to restore my account. However, all I received was an automatic and dry message claiming that the case is closed and that they will ignore me from now on.
Anyone who knows me can tell how much I care about the value of sportsmanship in chess- first of all in a respecting behavior, but especially when it comes to Fair-Play. Just in the last two years, I helped catching dozens of violators of fair play rules in online events. Also in this tournament I faced certain "interesting" opponents- for example a player with a Fide rating of 1050 (according to him) who easily achieved a winning position against me before making a draw.
I invite everyone to have a look at the games in the link below. I am more than ready to explain my thinking process and decision making in each one of the games. I am a top supporter of anti-cheating which is very important for the future of chess and online chess. However, banning players without any reason or evidence indicates that the website is too easy on the trigger which is very dangerous. In the last few days I received a lot of support from Chess professionals and colleagues, and was informed that my case is not the first- apparently many other GM's and strong players fell victims to such a witch hunting by Lichess. Needless to say, such a one-sided act can damage a player's reputation and should not be done without proper evidence.
Link of the tournament: https://lichess.org/swiss/QiINaJ9g
My account: nizko33
10 comments
Ah OK I thought it was open, maybe it was at some point. Thanks to Nick for stepping in.Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:48 amThis appears to be a private group.JustinHorton wrote: ↑Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:57 amhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1415533 ... 978014744/
I'm not seeing anywhere where he names these "well-known grandmasters", which is not the bravest of approachesChris Rice wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:31 pmFrom Nigel Short's new book Winning which featured in a FB post by Andrew Burnett.
Stewart, you are as ever too modest. I am sure you are aware that the very first clause in the current Laws isStewart Reuben wrote: ↑Sun Aug 01, 2021 6:37 pmThe FIDE Laws of Chess used to say they covered ONLY over-the-board chess. I don't know whether that is still true.
I'm sure Nigel will name them, once they're dead.JustinHorton wrote: ↑Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:26 pm
I'm not seeing anywhere where he names these "well-known grandmasters", which is not the bravest of approaches